Based on the above-mentioned data it can be said that antithrombotic regimens based on either bivalirudin or UFH intraprocedurally followed by protamine neutralization, are effective strategies to reduce ischemic and hemorrhagic complications in patients with coronary artery disease undergoing PCI. At present, it is not known whether bivalirudin is superior to UFH in patients who have been optimally pre-treated with a loading dose of clopidogrel.